Born in 1850, CC Filson inherited his father's pioneer spirit and love of the outdoors. After homesteading in Nebraska and roaming the country as a railroad conductor, he moved to the small city of Seattle, Washington, just in time for the Great Klondike Gold Rush of 1897.

He owned his own mill and manufactured Mackinaw clothing, Mackinaw blankets and knit goods, as well as selling boots, shoes and moccasins, continually improving his goods to meet his customer's specific needs. In that era, clothing wasn't a matter of choice, but of survival.

Filson continued to make tough, comfortable outdoor clothing for hunters and fishermen, engineers and explorers, using the best materials obtainable, with his name soon becoming synonymous with reliability and satisfaction.